RTÉ HAS RELEASED new pictures of what actor Aidan Gillen looks like as Charlie Haughey ahead of the broadcast of its new three-part drama about the former taoiseach in the autumn.

Launching its new season line-up today the national broadcaster has released images of Gillen as the former taoiseach in the drama ‘Charlie’.

We also get to see what Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (aka Nidge from Love/Hate) looks like as PJ Mara, Haughey’s friend, spin doctor and enforcer:

Haven’t they done a good job?

Here’s what Haughey and Mara actually looked like back in the day:

According to the PR blurb ‘Charlie’ will begin in 1979 when Haughey, as health minister, plots his ultimately successful campaign to succeed Jack Lynch as taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader.

The series, directed by Colin Teevan, continues as he “seizes his opportunity to regain power and lead Ireland on the world stage, but domestic complications conspire to bring him down”.

Also in the series, leadership rival George Colley is played by Peter Gowen, PD leader Des O’Malley is played by Marcus Lamb while Haughey’s mistress Terry Keane is played by Lucy Cohu.

The blurb concludes: “The concluding episode sees his bid for absolute power as his enemies circle.”

There’s no indication of when exactly the three 90-minute episodes will be broadcast, but we’re excited.

All pictures: RTÉ Press 

In Pictures: The cast of RTÉ drama Charlie get to work

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